11/9/17: Religious freedom in our Society Today

Religious Freedom In Our Society Today

Education-Engagement-Action!

Shared by Imam Elahi- First, I would like to say congratulations to the winners of yesterday's election and also those who didn't win but worked hard and made an investment of experience in their political life.

Next, I would like to talk about an important conference which was held in Detroit yesterday.
Thank you to honorable Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron the leader of Catholic Church in Michigan for your commitment, leadership and your extremely inspiring, intellectual and philosophical address in yesterday conference in SS. Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit.

The Archbishop made it clear that protecting our religious freedom is essential to our principle of patriotism. Religious liberty is based in human conscience and it is part of building our community and country. The Archbishop spoke about serious threats to our religious liberty in this political environment. 

Other speakers included Dr. Khaled Beydoun, Dr. Elizabeth Clark, Dr. Christopher Lund, Dr. Frank Ravitch and Rev. Elder Von G. Keetch also presented powerful messages on the perception of religious freedom, inclusion, diversity, looking for commonalities, defending the culture of tolerance, understanding, and respect as the fundamental elements of American dream!

Islamophobia was a central discussion in yesterday's conference.
Unfortunately the president, whose job is to unite the nation and be everyone's leader, has chosen to empower Islamophobia, which promotes hate crimes against the Muslim community!

In the afternoon session I read a hate letter I received yesterday. The letter is full of insults to our holy prophet Mohammad (pbuh) the Quran and Islamic teaching and tells me in order to be a moderate Muslim I have to publicly denounce my faith values!!

This 5 page letter attracted the attention of the entire panel, followed with big discussion of the afternoon conference. The speakers showed sympathy and support for the Muslim community and promised to work with our community to fight ignorance and bring more education and understanding to our society.

I wish our Muslim community get more involved and make some investment for the success of this educational struggle!